The only known surviving 1927 Packard 343 Murphy Convertible Sedan, a Pebble Beach winner, heads to auction with unmatched provenance.
A piece of automotive history is set to cross the auction block at Broad Arrow’s 2025 Scottsdale Auction: a 1927 Packard 343 Murphy Convertible Sedan, the only known surviving example of its kind. This remarkable vehicle carries an estimated value of $275,000 to $350,000 and will be offered without reserve on February 15, 2025, as part of the Academy of Art University Collection.
First delivered in 1927 to Carl Henderson's Packard City in Santa Monica, California, this Packard features coachwork by the famed Walter M. Murphy Company. The "Clear Vision" convertible sedan design, characterized by its slim pillars and elegant proportions, reflects the artistry of W. Everett Miller. Unique touches include rosewood running boards with open step gates, a rear passenger windshield, and discreet, integrated door handles.
Powered by a 384-cubic-inch L-head eight-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission, the car exemplifies engineering excellence of its era. The original owner, the Fairbank family of Canada, retained the car until the mid-1960s, when it was acquired by Phil Hill, the first American Formula One World Champion and a passionate Packard enthusiast.
Hill, co-founder of the esteemed Hill and Vaughn restoration shop, meticulously restored the Packard in the 1970s, ensuring every detail was authentic and of the highest quality. The car debuted at the 1977 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, earning the prestigious Best of Show award. Hill’s painstaking work extended to mechanical enhancements, such as a high-compression Ricardo cylinder head and a high-performance camshaft.
Since its restoration, the Packard has been a fixture of automotive excellence, earning perfect scores at Classic Car Club of America events and gracing the cover of Old Car Illustrated. It remained in Hill’s collection until 2009, when it joined the Academy of Art University Collection. Its recent showcase at the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance highlights its enduring legacy.
As this exceptional Packard seeks its fourth owner, it offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of Pebble Beach history and the legacy of Phil Hill’s unmatched restoration craftsmanship.
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